Feingold: Heart attack: men vs. women

SECOND OPINION

Do the symptoms of a heart attack that are present in women differ from those in men? Most people would say yes because of the many articles on this subject that have appeared in the medical and lay literature espousing this point of view.

Do the symptoms of a heart attack that are present in women differ from those in men? Most people would say yes because of the many articles on this subject that have appeared in the medical and lay literature espousing this point of view.

In fact, about two months ago an article from the American Heart Association discussed some of the heart attack symptoms that appear to occur more commonly in women than in men.

The article stated that women were more likely than men to experience shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting and back and jaw pain.

Although this is perhaps generally true, the findings of a very recent study showed that there were more similarities than differences in the symptoms of a heart attack experienced by men and women.

In the study, the descriptions used by men and women of their symptoms while having a heart attack were compared. Results showed that many of the symptoms were described similarly such as the presence of pain, pressure and tightness involving the chest.

However, women frequently used different words than men in describing their symptoms, such as discomfort, crushing and pressing.

Both groups described pain that was present outside of the chest area including the arms. However, it has been proposed by some that women more often than men have pain in the back and shoulders. In this study it was determined that men also experienced these symptoms.

Other symptoms present in both sexes included shortness of breath, fatigue, sweating and generalized weakness. More women then men reported the presence of a dry mouth.

The researchers concluded that the previous belief that women exhibit different symptoms than men during a heart attack is not true. Both sexes experience similar symptoms, although at times they may use different terms to describe them.

However, for some women the misconception still exists that heart disease is mainly a man’s disease. This is certainly not true. Although breast cancer is a serious disease in women, more women die from heart disease than any other medical condition.

So, women should take very seriously any signs of a possible heart attack and seek medical help.

Dr. Murray Feingold is the physician in chief of The Feingold Center for Children, medical editor of WBZ-TV and WBZ radio, and president of the Genesis Fund. The Genesis Fund is a nonprofit organization that funds the care of children born with birth defects, mental retardation and genetic diseases.